A recent study carried out by SunLife to determine how attitudes towards life changes when people reach 50 has had some remarkable results. The overall factor found that almost all of those questioned within the study felt an increased pressure to look good, with many opting for Cosmetic Surgery procedures to slow down the signs of ageing.
We now know that almost 250,000 British people have undergone some form of cosmetic surgery at the age of 50 or over but the good news is that those people approaching the big 5-0 admitted feeling ten years younger.
60% of the 50,000 who took part in the study said they were enjoying their life at 50 more so than when they were younger with 78% of them saying this was probably because their self-confidence had grown and they no longer cared what people thought of them.

Ian Atkinson of SunLife said: “While some over 50s are feeling the pressure to stay young, most don’t actually care what other people think and are happy just living their lives to the full. This includes making more of an effort to eat well and exercise more regularly than they did when they were younger which suggests that far from feeling ‘over the hill’, people aged 50 and over are making sure they are fitter than ever so they are free to do what they want to do. Some people still believe that turning 50 is something to worry about, that life slows down after that – but after conducting the UK’s biggest-ever study with 50,000 people over 50 we know that’s not the case at all: for many, life after 50 is the best time of their lives.”

Six out of ten of those taking part in the study said they began taking more notice of what they were eating while 46 per cent have started exercising more. One fifth said they had cut down on drinking since turning 50 and one in seven had stopped smoking.

For us within the Cosmetic Surgery industry we are not surprised by the research found. Our practice sees a whole range of ages coming through its doors but what we can say is that we recognise that as patients are approaching their 50’s they begin to take surgical steps to keep their looks youthful. Many younger people use Non surgical treatments like botox and fillers to give them the aesthetic appearance they wish however as people age and this skin becomes more lax, this becomes more increasingly difficult and sometimes surgery is the better and more permanent option.

*According to the ONS there were 23, 072,619 people aged 50 and over in the UK in 2015. One per cent of this number is 230,726.

‘7 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Getting A Nose Job (rhinoplasty)’ by Jacqueline Kilikita

http://www.refinery29.uk/2017/05/153628/nose-job-what-to-expect

We found this ‘blog’ from Rhinoplasty patient Jacqueline Kilikita to be an insightful and honest account and helpful to people considering having a nose job.

What is a Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty (Greek: ῥίς rhis, nose + πλάσσειν plassein, to shape), commonly known as a nose job, is a plastic surgery procedure for correcting and reconstructing the form, restoring the functions, and aesthetically enhancing the nose by resolving nasal trauma (blunt, penetrating, blast), congenital defect, respiratory impediment, or a failed primary rhinoplasty. Most patients are wishing to remove a bump, narrow nostril width, change the angle between the nose and the mouth, as well as correct injuries, birth defects, or other problems that affect breathing, such as deviated nasal septum or a sinus condition. There are two types of rhinoplasty, the open and the closed, with each technique the surgeon aims to achieve a functional, aesthetic, and facially proportionate nose. This is performed by separating the nasal skin and the soft tissues from the osseo-cartilaginous nasal framework, correcting them as required for form and function, suturing the incisions, using tissue glue and applying either a package or a stent, or both, to immobilize the corrected nose to ensure the proper healing of the surgical incision.
What were the 7 things Ms Kilikita wished she’d known before she had surgery?

1. The big reveal is extremely disappointing – It will still be very swollen and bruised
2. It takes time to adjust to the new face staring back at you
3. It looks worse than it feels, so don’t let people work you up into a panic beforehand
4. Other people’s perceptions of your appearance are totally different from your own
5. Changing your appearance won’t change the way people treat you
6. It’ll never be completely perfect
7. People might make you feel silly for having it done – Don’t listen to them

A recent study conducted by a group of plastic surgeons asked 131 participants to rate the attractiveness of various sized nipples.
It found that nipples that occupied 25 to 30 percent of the breast were rated the highest.

While, those larger than 50 percent of the breast were deemed too large by the majority of study participants.
The study concluded that patients with smaller sized nipples rated high in attractiveness than those with larger nipples.

Breast Surgery has for many years been the most common plastic and cosmetic surgery procedure available, the term breast surgery encompasses a number of procedures including Breast Augmentation (Boob Job), Breast Reduction, Mastopexy (Breast Uplift) and Nipple Correction.Breast Surgery can be requested for several reasons including: Breast Malformity, The result of weight gain or loss, Following childbirth or breastfeeding or for Oncoplastic reasons.

This recent trend is seeing many patients request that their nipples be reduced to that of the size of the popular confectionary item, smarties. Of course trends are called trends for a reason in that what maybe popular right now may not be in several years time and so it is important to refrain from acting impulsively in such circumstances.

Nipple Correction has been a popular procedure for many years, it has been used traditionally to treat patients who are concerned about enlarged or inverted nipples or to reduce the size of the areola (the brownish coloured area around the nipple) and is commonly carried out along with a Breast Augmentation procedure.

Nipple Correction alone is a minor procedure although it is commonly carried out in conjunction with a Breast Augmentation (Breast Enlargement)and can help to restore confidence and body image by correcting the appearance of the nipple and breast.

http://www.alanjpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Mr-Alan-Park-Logo.jpg00AlanParkhttp://www.alanjpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Mr-Alan-Park-Logo.jpgAlanPark2017-02-06 12:26:512017-02-06 12:26:51Tiny nipples set to be the Breast Surgery trend of 2017

Botulinum Toxin is most commonly used to smooth facial wrinkles, although not many people know that Botox also has FDA approval to be used for Hyperhidrosis too.

Hyperhidrosis is a common condition in which a person sweats excessively. It’s been estimated to affect between one and three in every 100 people which means there are likely to be hundreds of thousands of people living with it in the UK.

Hyperhidrosis can develop at any age, although primary hyperhidrosis typically starts during childhood or soon after puberty.
The sweating may affect the whole of the body, or it may be localised to affect certain areas such as the armpits, palms of the hands, soles of the feet and the groin for example.

People who suffer from excessive sweating can find the condition embarrassing and may avoid situations or clothing choices in order to conceal the problem which can have an impact on their quality of life.

How does Botox work?

The neurotoxin Botox stops nerves from firing by blocking the uptake of acetylcholine, one of the neurotransmitters that tells muscles to contract. When injected in the face, it essentially freezes the nearby muscles, which smooths wrinkles and prevents expression lines that could cause more wrinkles to appear. The mechanism works in the same way used to stop the production of sweat, but it acts on glands instead of muscles. Botox intercepts the message telling the glands to secrete sweat, so they don’t.

Who can treat Hyperhidrosis?

Botox is a prescription-only medicines (POM) in the UK, which means it can only be prescribed and given to a patient by a qualified prescriber and only medical professionals can qualify as prescribers. It is important to research your practitioner fully, it is not unreasonable to ask about their insurance and to see previous patients results.

#botox #aesthetics #hyperhidrosis #excessivesweating

http://www.alanjpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Mr-Alan-Park-Logo.jpg00AlanParkhttp://www.alanjpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Mr-Alan-Park-Logo.jpgAlanPark2017-02-06 12:06:042017-02-06 12:31:18Did you know Botox could be used for excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

According to recent research the male cosmetic surgery sector accounts for around 10% of the overall industry which actually seems quite low, however I suspect there are many men out there that choose not to admit having surgical procedures for aesthetic purposes. Men these days are making much more effort with their appearance in every aspect from hair styling to keeping their body looking good and there is much more competition in the workplace to look good too so cosmetic surgery is becoming a commonly accepted option.
So which are the most common procedures?

There are always new and innovative procedures arriving on the market for men such as beard transplants and various styles of implants however the most common seem to have remained the same, they are:

A #Blepharoplasty involves removing excess skin and sometimes fatty deposits or muscle that can make the eyes sag, look tired and in extreme cases impair vision. During the procedure the skin is excised via the natural creases of the eye so that scarring appears as minimal as possible and can sometimes be performed using Local Anaesthetic (this would be discussed during consultation).

What is a Rhinoplasty?

A Rhinoplasty can take several forms depending on what the patient is concerned about, it could be the overall size of the nose or nostrils or maybe the shape which could have been affected by a break or even a previous surgery that the patient is not happy with. The most common technique used for #Rhinoplasty is carried out inside the nose, so no scars are visible following the surgery. An incision is made inside the nostrils, which allows access to the bones and cartilage beneath. The bone and cartilage is then reshaped and tissue is removed or added before the skin is folded back over the newly shaped nose.

What is a Male Breast Reduction?

The Male Breast Reduction is usually performed for patients suffering from #Gynaecomastia, the excessive development of male breasts (sometimes referred to as ‘man boobs’), which is thought to affect around 40% of the male population.
Gynaecomastia can present in several forms; as a fatty enlargement of the breast, excess glandular tissue or a combination of both. Depending on the complexity of the condition treatment may involve either Liposuction alone and/or an excision of the tissue and skin. The location and length of the incisions depends on the extent of surgery needed, but they are typically located around the edge of the areola or within the natural creases of the chest. Major reductions that involve the removal of a significant amount of tissue and skin may require larger incisions that result in more obvious scars.

What is #Liposuction?

Liposuction is carried out to remove stubborn areas of excess fat that are hard to shift with diet or exercise alone. The most common areas of treatment in males are the chest (see Gynaecomastia), the stomach, hips, thighs and buttocks. A cannula is inserted into the area of concern usually whilst the patient is asleep under General Anaesthetic and the fat is removed. The small incisions are then sutured and patients are required to wear a compression garment for several weeks afterwards to retain the shape, reduce bruising and swelling and to aide healing – this is an important stage of recovery.

What is an Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is the medical term used to describe Ear Pinning or Ear Correction surgery. According to statistics 1 in 20 people suffer with protruding ears either because this is their genetic form or as a result of an injury. #Otoplasty surgery is carried out to return the ears to a more aesthetically pleasing position by re-sculpting or removing some of the cartilage at the back of the ear where the incisions are placed to conceal scarring as much as possible. Following completion of the surgery patients are required to wear a garment around the head to keep the ears in their new position for around 1 week afterwards.

When opting to undergo a cosmetic surgery procedure it is important to have considered your decision fully, as the surgeon in this article quite rightly says:

Realistic expectations are a must: Be practical in your expectations. Although cosmetic surgeons are capable of transforming serious cosmetic imperfections, that doesn’t make them magicians. “Be realistic about what you demand from your surgeon,” says Dr Rao.
Plan ahead of time: If you have a wedding coming up in a week, don’t wait until the 11th hour to knock on your cosmetic surgeon’s door. “Sometimes surgeries take a lot of time to heal. So it is important to ensure you have enough time on your hand,” states the doctor.

There could be complications: It is foolish to expect that cosmetic surgeries may not involve any complications. “It is like any other surgery,” says Dr Rao. One should follow all the protocols such as post-operative care to avoid infections and other risks associated with the surgery.

Results may take time: Don’t get impatient if the surgery doesn’t yield instant results. As mentioned earlier, cosmetic surgeons are not magicians who can make imperfections disappear in a jiffy. The human body takes its own time to adapt to the changes made by the surgeon.

Healthy lifestyle is a prerequisite: Dr Rao emphasises the importance of following a healthy lifestyle after cosmetic fixes such as fat reduction and liposuction. “Cosmetic surgery is not an alternative to a healthy lifestyle,” he stresses. Following proper diet and exercise regimens is mandatory if you want the effects of the procedure to last.

Not more than two procedures at a time: It’s easy to get carried away and want a whole lot of changes done to your body. “There are people who go in for multiple surgeries, but it’s not wise to go for more than two procedures at a time,” warns Dr Rao.

Communicate clearly: Cosmetic surgeons are truly skilled at what they do; however, their set of skills doesn’t involve reading the patient’s mind. There is no point in being upset at your surgeon if you hadn’t communicated clearly about your requirements in the first place. Be very clear about what you expect from the procedure well in advance.

As we enter 2017 this article looks at the expected trends in the world of Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics.

Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics are probably one of the most fast moving and innovative industries with new techniques, products and equipment constantly being launched. This is the key reason why it is important for us surgeons to keep our ears to the ground to make sure we bring our patients what they want but also to make sure that we only select the best of those innovations to launch in our own practices.

With this in mind we look forward in 2017 to bringing you all our exciting news, to seeing current patients and meeting new alike.
Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous 2017

Recently a group of American Plastic Surgeons disclosed all the weird and wonderful procedures that patients had requested over the years. In most cases the Surgeons declined to carry out the extreme surgeries however it is common for patients to share images of celebrities or features that they’d like their surgeon to re-create.
We often have to explain to patients that whilst the Duchess of Cambridges nose looks good on her, her nose may not necessarily look the same on someone else. The Duchess of Cambridge has whats’ often referred to as ‘a mathematically perfect nose’, it suits her bone structure and is balanced against her other facial features whereas a person with a different bone structure may suit a smaller, larger, wider or thinner nose.

The same applies with most procedures, a patient may ask for a 280cc Breast Implant at consultation because that’s what their friend has. Again their friends’ height, body shape and original breast size is likely to be different therefore in order to achieve a similar result a larger, smaller or different placement of implant maybe required.

They key to achieving a good result with Plastic Surgery or an Aesthetic Treatment such as Dermal Fillers is creating a feature or shape that enhances the individuals appearance. It is important to attend your consultation with an open mind, of course take along the photo you have in mind and discuss what you’d like to achieve but be guided by your Surgeon or Aesthetic Practitioner as to what is a realistic result. It is their responsibility to be honest, if your expectation is unrealistic he or she will usually say so and advice will be given as to what result could be achieved. It works both ways whilst you as a patient want a certain result your Surgeon or Injector wants to achieve a result to be proud of and one that he or she knows you will be happy with too.

If you are considering Cosmetic Surgery, I hold clinics in Warwick, Coventry and Nuneaton. For more information visit my website www.alanjpark.com or to make an appointment for a consultation call 07468 418 419

http://www.alanjpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Mr-Alan-Park-Logo.jpg00katharinehttp://www.alanjpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Mr-Alan-Park-Logo.jpgkatharine2016-11-04 14:44:042016-11-04 14:44:04The most requested Cosmetic Procedure according to a UK based study is the Duchess of Cambridges nose.

Ever heard the saying ‘nothing lasts forever’? It would be difficult to say your facelift will last forever however you should see some long lasting results. The key to your surgery lasting as long as possible lies very much in the condition of your skin pre surgery.

For example a patient with sun damaged skin, a smoker or someone who has skin laxity issues due to weight loss or gain may not see as longer lasting results of that of a person with great skin pre surgery.

Maintaining a good skincare regime both pre and post surgery is extremely important, as is keeping the skin hydrated at all times.

About Facelift Surgery

Facelift Surgery usually takes around 3-4 hrs in theatre, it would be carried out under General Anaesthetic and will usually require a 1-2 night in hospital.

The incisions are made very discreetly above the hairline and extend down either just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear or down the front of the ear in the natural line, they then continue around the back of the lobe and towards the crease behind the ear and off into the lower scalp. Sometimes a small incision maybe necessary under the chin area, however this is something that would be discussed during consultation.

The skin is then sutured so that is it lifted upwards and backwards similarly to what you would see when you lift your own skin in the mirror to imagine how the surgery may look. Drains are usually inserted during the surgery to drain away any excess fluid and to reduce swelling and bruising.

After surgery

A facelift is major surgery and will require rest in the first few days and weeks following surgery to allow the swelling and bruising to subside. As there is swelling and bruising immediately following surgery it is not uncommon for the true results of the surgery to take some weeks to become apparent.

Risks and Possible Complications

As with any surgery there are potential risks and complications to be aware of. The most common risks are numbness, bruising and swelling particularly around the ear where the scars are located. There are also some more uncommon complications which include Infection, haematoma, seroma, skin necrosis and nerve damage. Of course patients are invited for regular checks with our nurse team who are on hand should medical assistance be required following discharge from the hospital.

How to book a consultation

If you are considering Facelift Surgery and would like to arrange a confidential no obligation consultation at one of my clinics in Warwick, Coventry or Nuneaton please call 07468 418 419 or for more information visit my website www.alanjpark.com

A recent article published has revealed the perfect face, the face is made up of the most popular features requested by patients attending consultations for facial plastic surgery

Nose – Duchess of Cambridge

Eyes – Keira Knightley

Eyebrows – Jennifer Lopez

Lips – Penelope Cruz

Cheeks – Angelina Jolie

Skin – Reece Witherspoon

Forehead – Miley Cyrus

Chin – Selena Gomez

Jaw line – Cher

It is important to be realistic with expectation when providing photos in this way, The Duchess of Cambridges nose for example is slim and fits perfectly with her slender facial proportions but may not suit a person with a rounder face for example. Scientists have confirmed that Kate’s nose, with its 106-degree nasal tip rotation (recent research shows that noses between 104-108 degrees in their orientation are the most beautiful) deserves a place on the world’s most perfect face.

It is extremely common for patients to attend consultations with images of celebrities whose features they would like to replicate. What is interesting with the facial features of almost all of these celebrities is that they are all very natural looking. This is something that has become more and more common over recent years, patients seem to steer away from the very surgically enhanced look and more towards discreet and less obvious enhancement.

Your consultation is an opportunity for you to discuss the result you would like to achieve, there is no harm in bringing along a photo of a feature you like but it is important to be realistic as a persons’ face is unique in size, shape and symmetry. A feature that may suit one person but may not suit another, Plastic Surgery is about creating an aesthetically pleasing result that suits that particular individual.

If you are considering a cosmetic procedure and would like to arrange a confidential no obligation consultation at one of my clinics in Warwick, Coventry or Nuneaton please call 07468 418 419 or for more information visit my website www.alanjpark.com